A Journey of a Thousand and One Nights Begins With a Single Step ...

The Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) Role Playing Game keeps on evolving. Recently, Alderac issued its new L5R 3rd edition Revised. This new edition fixes some of the problems players complained about when 3rd edition came out 3 years ago. The only problem with Revised is that far from fixing the problems, they created more. A comprehensive Errata is being written and AEG will likely publish it online.

But along with the new Revised edition of its flagship, AEG has also published Legend of the Burning Sands (LBS). LBS also started life as a Collectible Card Game that existed in the same universe as L5R. In fact the Burning Sands are just north of Rokugan. The new LBS rule book is a gorgeous 300 page book detailing the world of Medinaat al-Salaam and its inhabitants. The Roll and Keep rules from L5R have been transplanted here, but they use a hybrid of L5R's 3rd ed and 3rd ed Revised - making it compatible, with a bit of work, with its sister game.

Hot on the heels of L5R, is Qin by French RPG company 7th Circle. Now published in English by Cubicle 7, Qin reminds me of a wuxia version of L5R - before L5R became heavily laden with CCG inspired metaplot. The corebook and its few supplements are fantastic to look it and minimalist in feel. It is still fantasy, but it is fantasy with deep roots in Chinese wuxia literature and film as well as Chinese history. It looks and feels as if it could be a primer in Chinese anthropology. It took almost 2 years before 7th Circle translated their game of fantasy China into English.

Well, 7th Circle is at it again. First, Qin gets a Kung Fu makeover with Qin: Shaolin and Wudan. This fatsplat supplement (with a stylized tiger instead of a dragon on the front cover) acts as a stand-alone game and updates Qin with rules about Kung Fu. The timeline is also updated. This one takes place in 17th Century China.

But 7th Circle didn't stop there. In a parallel move to AEG's Legend of the Burning Sands comes Caphernaum: the Heritage of Dragons (trans.). It is a fantastic version of the Tale of 1001 Nights. It is only available in French and so far there are no plans for an English translation, but it tackles the same subject matter as LBS does. It even uses a "Roll and Keep" system, but my French is too rusty to allow me to figure out how close it is to AEG's system. If my experience with Qin is any indication, Caphernaum will be fantastic. I hope we don't have to wait too many years before they publish it in North America. There is already a couple of websites for it. One is right here.

(L5R) Ch 1 - The Mountain Witch, part 2

The Trial

Synopsis: The group investigates the grisly death of Ide Keiyomi and come to a shocking conclusion in Daidoji Kikaze's court.

Most of the group goes up to Ide Keiyomi’s room on the second floor of the keep. Bayushi Ryu grabs Noriyaki before he could go and tells him “let the magistrates deal with her. I have a scroll I need to show you.” Noriyaki is too curious. He examines the scroll. Noriyaki reads it and realizes it is a prayer to the Air Kami known as the Mists of Illusion - the Air Kami would help the shugenja who prayed to it, to disguise something, but whatever is under the spell would not be able to move. Noriyaki and Ryu decide to think about this further. They both join the rest of their group at Ide Keiyomi’s room.

There is already a small crowd gathering around the open shoji door. An older gentleman in Unicorn Clan colours is slouched on the floor, a couple of Unicorn Clan are there comforting him. Two Daidoji samurai are doubled over in the corridor retching - the smell of bile and vomit wafts toward them.

Daidoji Takakana is speaking with another Crane samurai. He approaches the group and tells them they are to investigate the murder on orders from Daidoji Kikaze. He wants them to do this since they are already investigating Mutsuye. He warns them before going in that what they will see will challenge their honour.

The group opens the shoji door and they are assaulted by the strong odour of iron and death. They find a maid on the ground with her throat slashed from ear to ear – her blood covering five tatami mats. Ying-Lien gasps. The others try to show bravery in the face of such a repulsive scene. The eta will have to burn all the tatami mats.

But when they enter Keiyomi’s bed-chamber, they face the true horror. Keiyomi's body lies on the floor, naked. Her torso is torn asunder, her organs, intestines and blood scattered across the room as if her chest exploded showering gore throughout the room. Keiyomi's shattered ribs thrust upwards, exposing the blackness within her chest cavity. The group inch toward Keiyomi's body gingerly trying to avoid touching the gore when they notice one final horror - Keiyomi's face is missing - the flesh torn from her skull like bark from a tree exposing bloody muscle and sinew beneath. Only her eyeballs remain, staring blankly toward the ceiling. Before this room could be used again, it will have to be exorcised and cleansed before another samurai would be allowed to step into the room.

Jin looks down at the blood and gore. Along with the brackish coloured blood he spots a reddish-brown ichor mixed in that was indicative of only one thing - the Shadowlands Taint. He tells the group that whatever this was, was exposed to the Taint and may have been Shadowlands itself.

Noriyaki looks for a bowl with water to summon a water kami and find out what it saw, but the only bowl he finds is stained with blood, gore and taint. If he were to try and summon a water kami, he would risk summoning a Kansen instead. He decides against this course of action.

Noriyaki finds an untouched bowl of water in the outside chamber where the maid was found. He takes a moment to summon a water Kami and it shows the shugenja what it saw - the maid backing up, her arms in front of her as if defending herself and a moment later, Isawa Mutsuye approaching her with a tanto in hand and murder in her eyes.

In the meantime, Jin speculates what had happened in the room. Jin has been exposed to Shadowlands Lore and thinks that Mutsuye killed an Oni no Pekkle, a deceptive Shadowlands creature that disguises itself as a human and who has the power to seduce all manner of men. The Pekkle must have killed and replaced Keiyomi a while ago. When Mutsuye figured out that her friend had somehow been replaced by the tainted doppleganger, she killed it and in its death throes, it exploded. Jin's story could not explain why Mutsuye killed the maid nor did it explain why Keiyomi (if that really was Keiyomi) was missing her face.

The group decides that the best way to figure out what really happened was to talk to Mutsuye herself. They leave and make their way to her room where they find the three samurai-ko guarding the room. They demand entry in the name of the Daimyo and are let in. They find Mutsuye changing into an elaborate Phoenix Clan kimono; her maid is tying up her obi. Mutsuye is incensed. She is in the middle of getting ready for the party. Ying-Lien tells her that the party is over and that her friend Keiyomi is dead. Mutsuye gasps and sits on a chair, absorbing the information. When they accuse her of the killing, Mutsuye denies she had even seen Keiyomi since she arrived. Bayushi Ryu listens to her and believes her but sits back and says nothing.

Daidoji Kage barges in and demands to know what is gong on. When the group confronts him with the news that his betrothed perhaps killed a Shadowlands creature and could very well be tainted herself, Kage yells at them telling them that she is innocent and could no way be a party to such horrible deeds.

While Kage argues with the group, Noriyaki takes out a scroll from his satchel, unfurls it and silently prays to the earth Kami. The Earth Kami answer with a Jade Strike on Mutsuye. She is struck to the floor by the force of the blow and is obviously injured by the earth kami. Kage draws his wakizashi and rushes at Noriyaki. The group block his way as the samurai-ko enter, wakizashi drawn. Before the samurai-ko can rush to Mutsuye's aid and attack Noriyaki, Kage challenges Noriyaki to a duel to the death for the insult an dishonor brought upon himself and his betrothed. Jin tells Kage that his father should be brought down to decide what should be done with her, but Kage, fearing any excuse to refuse the marriage, tells them no. The group does not concur, and they leave Kage and Mutsuye as they go to seek out Kikaze.

While everyone else goes to visit Kikaze, Ying-Lien decides to take a different course of action and excuses herself from the group. She ventures out into the courtyard where the Unicorn Clan has gathered. Until the murderer is found, the Unicorn will not be allowed to return to their encampment. She finds Ide Toshimitsu, Ide Keiyomi's father, and despite protests, manages to convince him to take a walk with her. While in the garden, they converse about Keiyomi. Ying-Lien asks if Keiyomi had changed her behavior. Toshimitsu denied that Keiyomi had changed and that she was just as exuberant as always.

Ying-Lien then tells Toshimitsu about Jin's theory, that she was no longer human. This news rattles Toshimitsu and he sits down on a snow-covered bench. He tells Ying-Lien that this is not possible, that his daughter, whom he loved more than anything in this world, could not possibly have been a thing from beyond the wall. Disoriented, he tells her to leave and that he must have time to think. She bows out of respect for the Ide diplomat and leaves.

In Daidoji Kikaze's chamber, the Daimyo asks for a report. Bayushi Ryu explains the events and tells Kikaze that without a doubt, Mutsuye is tainted - that Noriyaki's spell has proven that.

Kage and Mutsuye are summoned and brought into court. Mutsuye denies ever meeting Keiyomi since she arrived and implores for the Daimyo to believe her. Kenjiro listens to her and believe she is being sincere. Despite all he has seen, he believes her. Kage backs her up and tells his father that the group has dishonored themselves and insulted their host by daring to cast such an offensive spell while in his keep. Kikaze questions Noriyaki about the spell and Noriyaki explains Jin's theory - that Keiyomi was what was known as an Oni no Pekkle. Kikaze frowns at Noriyaki's demonstration of his knowledge of the Shadowlands in open court, but does not deny that the effects of the spell have revealed that Kage's betrothed is indeed tainted - a fact that would have become a difficulty had Kage been allowed to marry her.

Kikaze demands that Toshimitsu be brought in front of him. When he arrives, Kikaze relates the facts and asks Toshimitsu if he knew that his daughter was a creature of the Shadowlands. The Unicorn diplomat is insensed and denies that she was and challenges anyone in open court to make a statement otherwise. Ying-Lien steps forward and explains to Kikaze that she would step forward. Toshimitsu, not wanting to duel a clansman, tells Kikaze that he should not believe her and that she is not of sound mind - that the death of their clansman has shocked her senses. Ying-Lien tries denying this, but Kikaze silences her. No one else steps forward to challenge Toshimitsu. But, there is no denying that Keiyomi was not human (at least in their minds). Mutsuye would not strike down another clansman that could start a war. No, Kikaze declares that Keiyomi was a kami. No one in the room challenges him on this fact.

Then, Kikaze announces in open court that Mutsuye is tainted. He then turns to the Bayushi Ryu, the Nokado, and asks if this is appropriate to deny the marriage. He agrees and Kikaze announces that there would be no wedding. Meutsuye falls to her knees and covers her face. For Mutsuye, her life is over. She could not return to Phoenix lands a tainted shugenja. She had only one way to atone - to commit seppuku.

Kage is enraged and tells his father that these are all lies that should not be believed by ones with such little Glory. Kikaze is un-moved. Kage then explains that he has challenged Noriyaki to the death for such insults. Kikaze ponders the duel and announces in open court that the duel will take place at dawn. Since Noriyaki is a shugenja and not versed in the ways of iaijutsu, someone would have to act in his place. Kakita Kenjiro steps up and volunteers for such a duty. Kenjiro accepts the duel as it stands knowing full well that any deviation from custom would be struck down by Kikaze himself. The duel would be to the death. If Kenjiro failed in his duty and Kage won, Noriyaki would be honor-bound to commit seppuku.

The group is excused from court. They begin to ponder the effects of the evening's investigation. Ying-Lien wonders if there is any way to avoid the duel so no one has to die. She even considers figuring out if there would be a way for them to elope. They go to their quarters to conduct a tea ceremony and to help Kenjiro clear his mind before the upcoming duel.

Meanwhile, Bayushi Ryu decides to take matters into his own hands. He discovers that there is another Scorpion shugenja attending Kikaze's winter court, Shosuro Shigeru. He finds him in the catacombs below the keep with a scruffy Crab samurai. They are examining a dead Shadowlands thing when they are interrupted. Ryu wants to rig the duel in favor of Kenjiro. Shigeru tells him it could be arranged - a small use of poison or some such toxin. All that would be required would be to arrange a meeting between him and on the samurai-ko who were guarding Mutsuye as well as some of her belongings and her saliva. Ryu agrees to the conditions and waits for the opportunity to kidnap one of the samurai-ko. When he succeeds at bringing the prone body of the woman to him, he tells Ryu that "it will be done - Kage will not win."

Next: The Duel

(L5R) Ch 1 - The Mountain Witch, part 1

Winter Court

Synopsis: The group arrives at a Daidoji keep for winter court and become embroiled in courtly politics.

Year 1168 IC, Month of the Boar

Bayushi Ryu, Kakita Kenjiro and Utaku Ying-Lien arrive at a small Daidoji keep close to Lion territory. It is in the mountains near the former Beiden Pass , north of the Kakita Dueling School overlooking the Lake of Sorrows . They are greeted by Daidoji Takakana, Karo for the keep. He takes everyone's katana and asks them to keep their wakizashi on them at all times or in their rooms. Then, they are shown their rooms where they will stay until the New Years Celebrations.

Bayushi Ryu has arrived to be the Nokado (marriage go-between) for Daidoji Kage and Isawa Mutsuye, an assignment he received only a week ago (to his surprise). He has brought his wife Kita and his children with him.

Daidoji Jin and Doji Noriyaki are already at the keep. Jin was given a message from his Daimyo that he was to report to Bayushi Kita when she arrives at the keep. Noriyaki was at the keep because his family's temple dedicated to Kuni Harika is only a short walk up the mountain.

After they have a chance to rest, everyone is given a notice by Daidoji Kikaze (the Daidoji Daimyo) to attend to his chamber during the Hour of the Horse.When they all arrive, Jin meets Bayushi Kita, Bayushi Ryu's wife. She introduces herself as a former member of the Kakita. Her family has been kind to gift her husband a yojimbo, Daidoji Jin.

The others introduce each other before the shoji doors open and they find their host, Daidoji Kikaze, Daimyo of the Daidoji Family, sitting on a raised dais surrounded by bodyguards. Everyone bows, but Kenjiro bows in an exquisite manner that Kikaze notices. They exchange pleasantries before Kikaze tells the players why he asked them there. Their lords have offered their services to him during winter court, and he requires them. His eldest son is marrying Isawa Mutsuye and the final arrangements are being made that evening. He trusts that after that time, there will be NO FURTHER DIFFICULTIES.

Without warning Ying-Lien blurts out "have there been many other difficulties?" Kikaze fumes and almost challenges her outright for the insult before Kenjiro apologizes for his wife’s inappropriate behavior. Because Kenjiro showed exemplary behavior earlier when bowing to the Daidoji Daimyo, Kikaze lets this one go but asks him to control his wife.

Kikaze leaves the group and the Karo steps in to “explain his Lord’s instructions.” They are to seek out and find any information about Mutsuye that may make her an inappropriate choice to marry Daidoji Kikaze’s son, Kage and report such information before the marriage can be formalized with the Nokado. Discretion is mandatory and Kage must not find out about the investigation. They have until the Hour of the Dog to find out anything.

The Karo dismisses the group and they begin by trying to find Mutsuye. They are told that she is at the temple dedicated to Kuni Hiraka, an hour away up the mountains. Bayushi Ryu overhears a conversation between Isawa Akiko and her friends. Akiko, it turns out, is a close friend of Mutsuye. Ryu lures her away from her entourage and questions her. He is pulled away from her by Akiko’s friends but he promises Akiko he will find her later.

In the meantime, Ying-Lien sees a contingent of Unicorn and their many tents and she tells the group to go ahead of her while she speaks to them. She finds out that although the Unicorn arrived recently, they are preparing to leave on orders from the Khan. They do not want to insult their gracious host, so they are leaving in the morning after the evening’s festivities.

So, Noriaki, being very familiar with the area, leads the rest of the group up the mountain to the temple dedicated to Kuni Hakira. (whom nobody seems to know anything about). His statue sits between the statues of Benten and Jizo and is crowded over in offerings. Kenjiro sees his blind sister, Shiba Yakiko praying before the alter and sits behind her so as not to disturb her ritual.

In the meantime, Ryu finds Mutsuye in a small ante chamber, the shoji door guarded by three samurai-ko. The samurai-ko will not let Ryu in but say they will let him know when she is done her prayers. Ryu relents and returns to the group.

Ying-Lien arrives and she tells Kenjiro about the Unicorn exodus. Noriaki is curious and begins talking to her about it. Kenjiro’s sister finishes her prayer and after a friendly, but surprised, greeting, she takes Kenjiro aside for a private conversation. Kenjiro tells her he has misgivings about being here because he wants the blood of the Toturi. Yakiko says he should forget the past that it will not serve him well. She asks who his rather loud friend speaking behind her was, and he introduces Noriyaki. She says she knows who Noriyaki is and apologizes. She says he can rely on her to keep the Temple running smoothly. Noriaki appreciates the gesture.

Ryu, no longer wishing to wait, barges past the samurai-ko and into Mutsuye's chamber where she is conducting her ritual. All the elements that were floating around the room while she prayed, fell to the floor. She fumes and complains, but her ritual is ruined. Mutsuye storms out of the room with Ryu following closely behind. Meanwhile, Noriyaki enters the chamber and summons a water kami to see what she was doing. It reveals nothing useful to him.

The group travel back down the mountain without Mutsuye (who tells them she will come down by palanquin). As they get to the gates of the Daidoji keep, Jin sees Matsu Hira, his sworn enemy. Jin keeps his distance and watches as they enter. By the time the group gets inside, the party is in full swing. They enter the main room and see members of many of Rokugan’s clans: Crane, Crab, Lion, Phoenix , Unicorn and a small amount of Scorpion.

The Daidoji have prepared a full slate of festivities for the evening. Daidoji Kurako, the hostess for the Winter Court, lets everyone know about the dance competition. Only a few enter. First up is Shosuro Shiko who performs an old dance entitled Song of Sparrow's Flight. She receives mild applause for her competent performance, Next, Asako Kuhime performs the Five Elements Dance and trips up. She receives a few polite applause. Kuhime is so embarrassed at her failure she runs off stage. Ying-Lien runs after her. Then, Ryu gets up to perform. He tells Kurako that he will perform the Dance of the Scorpion and the Frog. Ryu has no dancing or performing skill whatsoever, but is so Agile, he manages to pull off the performance of the night – that is until Ide Keiyomi stumbles into the room to perform The Tunnel of Quiescent Flame, a dance which is both graceful as well as provocative and garners applause from Unicorn and Crab alike.

During Keiyomi’s distracting performance, Ryu leaves the table and tells Jin not to follow. He sees Akiko and again flirts with her while her friends try and keep her from blabbing everything she knows about Mutsuye to the handsome Scorpion courtier. Still, Ryu manages to pry Akiko away from her friends and take a walk with her around the garden. Ryu sees Bayushi Yori, his brother’s wife, staring at them as they leave.

After her stunning performance, the crowd (mostly Crab and Unicorn) erupts with applause. Kurako awards Keiyomi with the prize for best dance and then she staggers up to Kenjiro and flirts with him. Kenjiro rebuffs her advances telling her that he is married to an Otaku Battle Maiden who might not appreciate Keiyomi’s flirtatious ways. Keiyomi wastes no time and sidles up to Noriyaki who, not being married doesn’t seem to mind her flirting. She lets him know that she knows Mutsuye, which makes him all the more curious. When she invites Noriyaki to her room (which she loudly re-states as “going for a walk in the garden”), he agrees to follow in a while. She tells him she is going to slip into something “more comfortable” and staggers out the door.

Meanwhile, Ying-Lien follows Kuhime back to her room and comforts the sad samurai. She appreciates Ying-Lien’s friendship and lets her know she has an ally in court. Ying-Lien, satisfied that Kuhime is not going to commit seppuku, leaves Kuhime and walks toward the festivities. She passes Keiyomi in the hallway as Keiyomi stumbles up toward her room. Before she can return to the party, Ying-Lien spots the archery contest and sees Shiba Noboru, Mutsuye’s bodyguard. She enters the archery contest to talk with Noburu, but watches as Noboru wins handily. Ying-Lien walks back toward the party.

In the meantime, Ryu has dropped Akiko like a lead balloon and snuck into Mutsuye’s room. She is nowhere to be seen, and Ryu did not see her at the party. He looks around and finds a shugenja scroll which he cannot read. He slips it under his kimono and returns to the party.

When Ryu returns, he finds Yori in front of the door. They have an argument in front of everyone before Yori stomps off. Ryu returns to his table just as Ying-Lien returns. Suddenly, a Unicorn samurai rushes into the room and announces that Ide Keiyomi has just been found in her room, dead. The snow is falling. No one is leaving the castle.

Next: The Mountain Witch, part 2 - the Trial

Dramatis Personae - Chapter 1

This is a short listing of all important NPC's from Book 1, Chapter 1 - The Mountain Witch:

Daidoji Kikaze – The Daidoji Daimyo
Daidoji Kage – Kikaze’s eldest son
Daidoji Takakana – Karo of the Keep
Daidoji Kurako – Host of the Winter Court
Isawa Mutsuye – Kage’s betrothed, a Phoenix Clan Shugenja
Isawa Akiko – Mutsuye’s close friend and motormouth
Shiba Noburo – Mutsuye’s head bodyguard
Ide Keiyomi – Daughter of a Unicorn Clan Diplomat. Provocative Dancer. Likes to drink
Ide Toshimitsu – Keiyomi’s father and Unicorn Clan Diplomat
Shosuro Shiko – Scorpion Clan Courtier and Dancer
Shosuro Shigeru - Scorpion Clan Shugenja who likes to examine dead Shadowlands creatures
Asako Kuhime – Phoenix Clan Courtier and Dancer
Akemi, Aiko, and Shakuko – Mutsuye's Samurai-ko bodyguards

Chapter 2 Personas

Major NPC's

NPC's in Rokugan:

Bayushi Kita: wife of Bayushi Ryu. She was formerly a member of the Kakita family of the Crane Clan. Together, they have two girls, Yuki and Miya.

Bayushi Yori: wife of Bayushi Daitoro. She is in love with Bayushi Ryu. Ryu and Yori were romantically involved with each other until each were betrothed - Ryu to a Crane courtier, her to Ryu's brother. Ryu has been ignoring her so as not to bring shame to his family, but Yori continues to pursue him.

Bayushi Daitoro: Bayushi Ryu's older brother.

Hiroko: Bayushi Ryu's oldest and most trusted servant.

Matsu Hiro: A Matsu warrior of the Lion Clan, she has sworn to destroy Daidoji Jin because of some perceived slights at a tournament. Several recent encounters have not dulled her resolve. Little do either know, but their respective families have agreed to have them married to each other.

Shiba Yakiko: Sister to Kakita Kenjiro, Yakiko is an Itako, a blind Shugenja with a skill in prophecy and divination. She has been assigned to the Temple dedicated to Kuni Hakira.

Shosuro Shigeru: Scorpion Clan Shugenja who likes to examine dead Shadowlands creatures. He is at the centre of many devious plots.


NPC's in the Burning Sands:

none yet

Prologue

The 1168th year IC, during the month of the Boar

Totori III, the Righteous Emperor, is dead – killed alongside the Emerald Champion Daidoji Hachi at the Mountain of the Seven Thunders by an army of the Shadowlands lead by Kyoso no Oni. The entire Emerald Empire is in mourning. This is the first Winter Court without a Toturi on the throne.

Normally, the Emperor sends invitations out for all those he wishes to have attend his Winter Court. This year, the Imperial Family has issued no such invitations. Instead, the Daimyos of the greatest of Rokugan’s houses are attending the Imperial Capital along with the remaining Toturi siblings, Kaneka and Sezaru, to deliberate on who will become the next Emperor. They will decide who will ascend to Emperor.

The coronation is to take place in Toshi Ranbo during the New Year celebrations several months from now…

Next: The Mountain Witch, part 1

Player Characters

Here are the Player Characters for the Burning Sands Campaign:

Bayushi Ryu
Scorpion Clan
Bayushi Courtier
Rnk: 2
Inst: 151
Glory: 1.0
Honor: 1.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 3, Air 3, Void 3

Skills: Caligraphy 1, Courtier 3, Deceit 1, Etiquette 3, Investigation 1, Stealth 2, Acting 1, Iaijutsu 2, Kenjutsu 3, Defence 2, Kyujutsu 2

Techniques: Weakness is My Strength, Shallow Waters

Advantages/Disadvantages: Dangerous Beauty, True Love, Lechery, Dark Secret (Maho Tsukai Ancestor), Heros End Heritage Roll

Background: Bayushi Ryu is a Courtier from the Scorpion Clan. He is married with two children, yet he is in love with Yori, formally of the Shosuro family but now married to his brother. He wholeheartedly believes in Bushido despite his family's misgivings. His early family life was not good and his father hates him (although he is not sure of the reason why). His mother loves him and has supported him through his most trusted servant, Hiroko.

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Daidoji Jin
Crane
Daidoji Yojimbo
Rnk: 2
Inst: 154
Glory: 1.0
Honor: 3.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 3, Air 3, Void 4

Techniques: The Force of Honor, Wielding the Inner Fire

Skills: Battle 1, Defence 3, Iaijutsu 2, Kenjutsu 4, Kyujutsu 1, Etiquette 1, Lore 1, Tea Ceremony 1

Advantages/Disadvantages: Sworn Enemy, Bitter Betrothal

Background: A proud Daidoji yojimbo, Jin bested Matsu Hira in a Kenjutsu tournament and boasted of his win to everyone who would hear. Hira, being a proud Matsu samurai-ko hated him for this and every time they have met since, their enmity grows. They have had several duels, including one to first blood. Little do they know, they are destined to be betrothed to each other because of a deal struck between their respective Daimyos.

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Doji Noriyaki
Crane
Asahina Shugenja
Rnk: 1
Inst: 135
Glory: 1.0
Honor 3.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 2 (Int 3), Air 3 (Aware 4), Void 3
Magic: Affinity to Air Magic

Spells: not yet listed

Skills: Calligraphy 1, Etiquette 3, Meditation 3, Theology 1, Investigation 3, Courtier 1, Tea Ceremony 3

Advantages/Disadvantages: Precise Memory, Lost Love, Soft Hearted, Small, Meddler, Inept Ancestor

Background: Doji Noriyaki has always been a bit different. Although he wanted to be a Courtier, he was sent to the Asahina Shugenja school when he displayed talent in talking to the Kami. He combined his passion for the courts with his affinity for speaking with spirits and specializes in Air spells. He was betrothed to Asahina Miya who ran away for reasons he is not sure. After his musha shugyo, he discovered that an ancestor had not lived up to his promises and now it is Noriyaki's duty to maintain the Temple of Kuni Hakira.

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Kakita Kenjiro
Crane
Kakita Duelist
Rnk: 1
Inst: 142
Glory 1.0
Honor 3.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 2 (Agility 3), Air 4, Void 3

Techniques: Way of the Crane

Skills: Etiquette 2, Iaijutsu 3, Kenjutsu 1, Kyujutsu 1, Meditation 1, Courtier 2, Tea Ceremony 2

Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret, Nemuranai (Heritage)

Background: Kenjiro was formally Shiba Kenjiro of the Phoenix Clan, but events conspired to make many of his family Crane. His family's dark secret includes very unpleasant events involving the current Imperial Family - so unpleasant that Kenjiro harbours revenge in his heart - he wishes to paint the walls of Toshi Ranbo with the blood of the Toturi. Recently, he was betrothed to Utaku Ying-Lien. Their marriage has been rocky, but he is beginning to appreciate his new wife.

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Utaku Ying-Lien
Unicorn
Utaku Battle Maiden
Rnk: 1
Inst: 143
Glory: 1.5
Honor 3.8

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 3, Air 3, Void 2

Techniques: Riding in Harmony

Skills: Battle 2, Defence 2, Horsemanship 3, Kenjutsu 2, Kyujutsu 3, Polearms 1, Games 1, Divination 1, Medicine 1, Iaijutsu 2, Etiquette 2, Animal Handling 2, Athletics 2

Advantages/Disadvantages: Gullible, Overconfidence, Cannot Lie, Fascination: Gaijin Lore, Absolute Direction, Irreproachable, Luck 2, Ancestor: Imperial Magistrate

Background: Fourth child of a Utaku Battle Maiden and a Ide Courtier, Ying-Lien has always had an enthusiastic, if not naive air about her. She expresses her emotions much more than is appropriate for a Rokugani and this has gotten her into trouble in the past. Her parents married her to a Crane in the hopes that her exposure to such a refined Clan will smooth some of her rougher edges.

The Burning Sands

Welcome to the Burning Sands Campaign

This is a blog for the Legend of the Five Rings campaign wherein the characters will venture to the Burning Sands and (maybe) return.

The campaign does not begin in the Burning Sands, though. It begins in Rokugan during the winter of 1168. The Emperor has died - killed by oni at the Mountain of the Seven Thunders. The player characters are minor samurai - most of whom are from the Crane Clan. They are meeting at the Daidoji Winter Court when the campaign begins.

Gary Gygax - Rest in Peace

I started with a photocopy of the white box edition in 1978. I couldn’t even afford the actual game. Little did I know that this game, D&D, would change my life.

I never met the man, yet he influenced me as if he were my (surrogate) father. In my early years, I worshipped him. His creation was my constant companion. In my “teen” years, I rebelled – saying that he was arrogant and undeserving of praise. In my maturity, I learned to appreciate the hobby he had shaped from his imagination.

I searched elsewhere for the perfect game. I had many partners and a few true loves, but every so often, I came home. It was never the same. The games of my youth were distant memories and I had moved beyond the 20-sided polyhedrals. Still, I yearned to capture those magic moments from long ago and still own the most current copy of his creation on my bookshelf. With a new edition, I may yet return …

My real father passed away at the age of 69 and so too has the father of my dreams and imagination. He has been a constant in my life for 30 years. Now, there will be an empty chair at the gaming table.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. He has kept his promises and earned his sleep."

Goodbye Gary. Well miss you.

Picture by "Aikuchi"

Order of the Stick Tribute

(reprinted from my other blog, Asian Echoes)

City of Glass, City of Rust

Well, the penultimate Chapter of my 2nd Mage Campaign has come to an end, and the last chapter is set to go this Thursday. Also, it has been so long since I finished the FIRST campaign as well as updating (the last chapter will be done this week, I promise), I will not be posting that second (and actually less successful) campaign.

So, after this, a new campaign set in the new World of Darkness is set to begin, albeit with a different cast of players.

This new one will be set in the exciting game of Changeling: the Lost. My Mage campaign will be set aside and re-vamped with a new focus in mind (set to begin next year) but even that will be set aside if I can get my (new) players to play in an Asian themed Changeling game set in Shanghai (or even Tokyo - which would be very appropriate). Should be very interesting to say the least.

So, with no further ado, please find my new game here, at the City of Glass, City of Rust site.

Never Woke Up

It's been a while since I've been able to post anything. It has been a very hectic time in my life, and the last chapter of Ryujin Chronicles 1 is still being edited (but will be up very soon). The second Ryujin Chronicles has already started, so I have to get a move on.

In the meantime: Those who know me know that I've been trying hard to "sell" Changeling: the Lost. Changeling is the new White Wolf game from Werewolf: the Forsaken creator Ethan Skemp. Since Werewolf is arguably the best of the World of Darkness line, I trust Ethan to once again hit an atmospheric home run with the new Changeling. I'm excited for this game even if others are not - but I hope to change their minds before August.

Check out the previews (which have now started) at the Changeling Home Page.

For now, take a look at this little animated video that seems to be inspired by Changeling themes. Very creepy.

Never Woke Up

(RC) The Cave – Ch. 12, part 2

Summary: The Cabal fights their way through the cavernous cave fighting vicious Bakemono and encountering Emma-O for the last time.

Recap: The Cabal goes further into the cave and find a huge pit. One of them throws a rock down into the gaping hole. It takes quite a while before it lands on something. They grab some rope and begin descending into the pit.

At the bottom, they find a huge stone alter with skeletons stretched out on wooden trestles behind it, bits of skin and cloth hung limply on the bones, limply blowing in the wind. As they pass the alter, they notice fresh blood pooled on its flat surface and feel a strong magical energy emanating from it. Mori concentrates and siphons the dark, tainted mana into his own body, the dark energy mingling with his own.. The Cabal passes by and begin exploring deeper into the cave.

As they travel further in, they feel a rumbling. The ground shifts beneath them and suddenly rocks tumble down from the ceiling. The ground beneath Mori shifts and buckles and he tumbles into the abyss. Mori crashes onto the rocks below and he is crushed under the weight of more that fall on top of him. Mori is buried in rubble and debris, but he is alive. Mori scrambles out from under the rocks. He is bruised and bleeding and he can barely move.

The Cabal calls down to Mori. They are going to attempt to rescue him. But before anyone can send a rope down to him, they are attacked by slavering Bakemono. The Bakemono are vaguely humanoid in appearance. Their musty skin is mottled grey and tough as leather and they don only scraps of cloth. Their hands twisted into claws and their faces contorted into grotesque humanoid masks.

As the Bakemono surround the Cabal, the urge to consume human flesh wells up in their bellies. They eye each other as if looking for weakness, but shake off the urge, regroup and fight off two of the Bakemono before retreating deeper into the caves.

Two Bakemono accost Mori. Mori also gains the urge to consume human flesh, but with no target available, casts Prime magic at the beasts and scrambles into the darkness.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Cabal are attacked by more Bakemono. They use Magic to force the Bakemono to retreat and fend off the urge to consume each other. Kemosiri uses Death Magic to raise one of the Bakemono into a super zombie (6 successes).

The Cabal finds itself at a dead end. Above, they see a ledge – a passageway leading further into the cave. They frantically begin climbing the sheer rock face using the zombie Bakemono to bide them time. Kemosiri tries climbing, but finds it extremely difficult considering his condition. Tenzin uses Life Magic to grow wings and flies up. The remainder scramble up the wall. Still, Kemosiri is holding them back and the Bakemono climb much faster than he can.

Kontonshin casts the Fate Spell ‘Monkey’s Paw’ on a part of the wall. When one of the Bakemono climb onto it, the rock collapses sending the Bakemono and the other pursuers crashing onto the cave floor. Kemosiri barely makes it up to the ledge.

Meanwhile, Mori finds a stream of blood. He follows it toward a bright light and finds himself on a cliff overlooking a lake of blood in an underground cavern. On the opposite shore he sees hundreds of Bakemono. They see him and begin approaching. Mori tries to escape, but in his weakened condition is unable to flee. He reaches into his pocket and finds the crystal that Isora had given him so long ago. He begins siphoning the dark mana he had drained from the Bakemono into the crystal. The crystal turns from a bright, clear colour to the colour of onyx.

Just as Mori is about to use his Magic to create a massive Prime explosion, he sees Emma-O and Dr. Wu enter the cavern. In their hands, they have the pieces of the Shinwa Taizen that Tatsu was guarding. The scrolls are stained with new blood. Mori realizes with horror that Emma-O has all of the scrolls that were in their possession as well as many other pieces of the Shinwa Taizen.

Emma-O commands that Mori be brought before him. He then brings the unconscious body of one of the Consilium’s servants toward Mori. Mori’s urges overwhelm him. He cannot hold back. He grabs the unconscious servant and at first only gnaws on his arm, the thought of cannibalizing the servant repugnant to him and making him gag. But when he first breaks flesh, Mori experiences a moment of reverie. The flesh tastes sweet and the blood has a delicious metallic tang to it as it rushes past his tongue and down into his gullet.

Something snaps deep within him. He no longer has the will to hold back from even this horrendous act. Mori begins consuming the man with the fervour of a starving man, while Emma-O and Dr. Wu laugh in the background. The remaining Bakemono tear the servant apart in an orgy of violence and blood that Mori does not witness as he is too busy gulping down the warm nurturing human flesh (Mori loses a point of Wisdom for this horrific act, but suffers no derangement. His Wisdom is now 2).

The remainder of the Cabal find the cavern and notice the reverie. They also see Emma-O, Dr. Wu and a blood covered Mori Memento. They stop, horrified at the sight of Mori consuming a human being.

The Bakemono converge on the Cabal. Kemosiri commands the Bakemono Zombie to defend their party, but the Zombie is quickly subdued by dozens of Bakemono. The Cabal uses magic to defend themselves, but Emma-O stymies them by using Time tricks to slow them down and allow the Bakemono to overwhelm them.

Mori cannot move his body and cannot stop engorging himself. He looks up when he sees a bright light at the centre of the cavern, a light no one else seems to acknowledge. In the light, he sees Isora, clad in her bright green kimono, reach out to him.

In a moment of clarity, Mori reaches for the ebony gem Isora had given him, tosses it in the air and uses Prime magic to destroy it. A massive explosion occurs sending bright shards of light into every corner of the cavern.

---

Mori finds himself lying on the shore of a fog-covered beach. Isora is standing in a small boat loaded with the scrolls of the Shinwa Taizen. She says goodbye to Mori and congratulates him on a job well done. Isora tells him that the alternate history that the Shinwa Taizen would have created if fully assembled, that of a cannibalistic hell on earth, will not be and that she will take it where it will no longer invade the dreams of mortals in the Fallen World. Mori’s only response is to say that he has done things, horrible things - things that he is not sure if he can atone for.

With that, Isora waves goodbye, pushes her boat from shore, and disappears into the fog.

---

The Cabal finds Mori on shore. He is unconscious and in critical condition. Emma-O and the Bakemono are nowhere to be seen. Dr. Wu’s body is lying broken and lifeless next to Mori, his lifeless eyes gazing into the Abyss. The Cabal build a stretcher and lift Mori up and carry him out of the Cave.

When the Cabal finally leaves the cave and return to their sanctum, Mori is conscious and just barely able to walk, thanks to Tenzin. They find a note from the Consilium, summoning them to a gathering they must attend immediately upon reading the note.

Next: O-Bon

Playing Cute Fuzzy Animals in Japan

Has anyone ever been interested in what kinds of RPG's are published in Japan? I've just started finding out. TRPG's (or Tabletalk Role Playing Games to differentiate them from RPG's which are computer games) are very obscure in Japan. They are rules lite so you get into the game very quickly and are heavily influenced by manga.

The more popular North American games have been adapted into Japanese language versions. D&D, GURPS, Call of Cthulhu and even the World of Darkness have all been translated into Japanese with Japanese-only supplements created for each line. My favourite on my want list is Hiei-zan Enjou (Mount Hiei Burns) - a full Call of Cthulhu rulebook (not a supplement) set in feudal Japan.

One of the more interesting original Japanese RPG's include Yuuyake Koyake (trans. "Sunset"), the “Heartwarming Role-Playing”. It is a diceless TRPG about henge, animals that take human form (think Kitsune). They live on the edge of a town in rural Japan and must make connections with people in the town by helping them out. By forming connections, the characters get what they need to use their special powers necessary to accomplish harder tasks. I don't know how they resolve conflicts since the section on fighting basically says "don't fight" (you lose connections and thus powers, by fighting with others). Definitely not angsty world of darkness stuff. It even has a supplement entitled Mononoke Koyake which expands its world by allowing players to take on the roles of ghosts, skin-riders and even aliens.

When I saw this, I began thinking of how good a resources this game would be for something like the upcoming Changeling: the Lost. Think about Japanese Changelings and you might see Kitsune, Kappa, Oni and Yuki-Onna as I do. Just something to think about for the future.

New Campaign

Sorry for the long wait for the last two chapters of my last campaign. I have already started the new one and haven't been able to finish the last write ups. Look for a lot of changes on the blog as I ramp up what I will be doing with the new campaign entitled RC2: Black Iron Prison.

In the meantime, have a look at a new Motivation Poster - the tag line was quoted by White Wolf's own Jess Hartley. Take a look:

The Year of the Golden Fire Pig

Happy Chinese New Year!

On February 18th, we enter the 4075th year on the Chinese Calendar, also known as the Year of the Fire Pig, or if you follow legend, the Year of the Golden Pig.

The Year of the Golden Fire Pig comes only once every 600 years and rumor has it, 2007 is this special year. It is Golden because the combination of elemental Fire, the sign Pig, and Yin/Yang components bring this year once every six centuries! It is said that children born under this sign will live in comfort as wealth and luck are always near. The Fire Pig is known to have traits of wealth, prosperity, luck and fertility.

So what are you waiting for...go out and celebrate.

The Cave – Ch. 12, part 1

Summary: The Cabal prepares to enter the last known place where the original Cabal disappeared.

Recap: The Cabal doesn’t even think. They attack the thin, emaciated being. With a wave of his hand, the being stops time around members of the Cabal and then hits each of them with bolts of energy, knocking each of them down to the ground. After laughing maniacally, the being identifies himself as Emma-O, master of Unit 731. Dr Wu is his student – a student he never would have found had not Kemosiri approached him with the Shinwa Taizen. Dr. Wu’s interest slowly became obsession and made it all that easier to convert him to his cause.

The members of the Cabal slowly get to their feet and prepare another attack. Emma-O waves his hand again and stops time in the room sending waves of paradox rippling throughout the room only to be absorbed by Emma-O. When the characters come to, they find both the human skin scrolls and the prone form of Dr. Wu, gone. The Cabal cannot find Emma-O.

As the group returns to their sanctum, Kemosiri admits to feeling remorse at inadvertently getting Dr. Wu involved in Emma-O’s cult. Dr. Wu was an innocent bystander. He feels the need to redeem his actions.

Tenzin prepares a healing ritual for each of his Cabal mates. While he is busy healing them, the rest discuss their next moves. They reach a conclusion that they don’t even know where begin searching for Unit 731. Mori surmises that the most logical place to search is where the last Cabal disappeared. Their last action was to attend a geology class at a local university. After briefly checking in with Ms. Ogawa, they disappeared.

With a bit of research, and remembering that Koya (the Yamada Taro) kept repeating “Jomon”, they find that the Kobe earthquake epicentre on an island just off the coast. On the island, the Japanese authorities had found a cave with pottery dating back to the Jomon era. That is where the Cabal decides to search for Unit 731.

But what to do with the scrolls? No one believes they are safe in their sanctum. Even with wards around the safe, Emma-O is powerful enough to break anything magical they might use. Kemosiri wants to keep them while they explore the cave, but Mori objects and argues vehemently against that option. Mori tells Kemosiri that the scrolls are having too much of an influence on him and he must divest himself of them. He points out that Tatsu and the Consilium have noticed has more than given him permission to kill Kemosiri if he gets out of control. This shocks Kemosiri and despite his lust for the scrolls, he decides letting them go and giving them to the Consilium for safekeeping is the best course of action.

Despite their misgivings, they give the Shinwa Taizen to Tatsu. They no longer suspect him as being with Unit 731. They now believe that everything they had seen in visions or video was false or designed to mislead them and throw them off track.

The Cabal travels to Osaka and ventures into Kobe. There, they are waylaid by a motorcycle gang (all Sleepers, apparently). Mori calls down lightning and strikes one of the gang members (and loses 1 wisdom for such an act as well as absorbing damage due to Paradox). The gang reluctantly lets them pass.

The Cabal reaches the boarded up entrance to the cave and break through the flimsy wooden barriers. In the gloom, they see dusty remnants of ages old pottery as well as small ceramic dolls reminiscent of dolls from the Jomon period. Under an old World War II tarp, they also find the slightly scorched remains of immaculately decorated wooden scroll cases – all empty.

Next: the Cave, part 2

That Ring's got a Grudge

J-Horror is part of what has inspired my Mage campaign, but according to this article, I'm a bit behind the times (and since the article was written in '05, really behind).

I found a comprehensive and detailed look at the history and future of the J-Horror industry that apparently peaked after the Grudge. There are a lot more J-Horror films that have been made, but I guess most of them were a bit on the schlock side. Detractors of the genre say that aside from some foreign copies, the genre is atrophying and needs to be revitalized before it dies.

So check out this very enlightening article about J-Horror, its roots and where its going. And check out the site, Midnight Eye, for the latest in Japanese cinema.

I bow the appropriate amount

At long last AEG has come up with a definitive cultural reference for the land of Rokugan. The Emerald Empire will be a hardcover companion to their Legend of the Five Rings 3rd edition RPG.

There are many who might say that L5R is about as accurate a view of Asia as Dungeons and Dragons is an accurate view of Europe, but at least this Asian-inspired game now gets a definitive political and social hierarchy and a detailed discussion of Magistrates and their role in the empire.

The Emerald Empire: The Legend of the Five Rings Companion is due in June 2007. The Samurai Edition of AEG's flagship CCG, Legend of the Five Rings is released in July, 2007.

The climb was worth it but the knife in the back is killing me

With the Internet, this must be the golden age of small, independent RPG's. They have never been easier to find and purchase. And the quality and production value of the RPG's is getting better and better.

That brings me to The Mountain Witch, an RPG/Adventure that comes to us courtesy of Timothy Kleinart of Timfire Publishing and can be ordered through Indie Press Revolution. It is a complete RPG scenario that uses a rules lite system developed especially for the adventure, and although the system could be used for other adventures, the scope of the game itself is this one role playing experience.

The players are ronin in medeival Japan. Their mission is to kill the Mountain Witch who lives in a castle at the top of Mount Fuji. The details are left deliberately vague so that the GM can personalize the experience for the players. The trick is, that the mission is not the point of the game - it is only the setup.

Character creation is less about stats and abilities and more about character background. Players choose one of six fates that will come up during the scenario and also choose their zodiac sign (based on the Asian animal signs). Choosing the zodiac will give each character a number of Trust points that can be used to help other players or hinder them (they call this last one, Betrayal).

It's all designed to give the GM the tools he needs to create conflict and tension within the party. So even as they fight a common foe, as the adventure wears on, the most likely death comes not from the Witch himself, but from the sword of another player. In the right hands, this adventure could be a most enjoyable gaming experience.

Shadows of Nanking - Ch. 11, part 4

Summary: The Cabal prepares to enter the last known place where the original Cabal disappeared.

Recap: While Kemosiri, Kontonshin and Tenzin were wandering though Kwannon’s Oneiros, Mori and Hachi-ko went back to the Sanctum and slept until morning. When they got up, they ventured to Kiyomizu-dera to speak with Tatsu about everything that was going on.

As Mori arrives, he sees an image of a young girl dressed in green that he recognizes as Isora (the little girl in the green kimono from Chapter 6, the Shadow). She tells him not to forget the crystal that she had given to him. Hachi-ko snaps him awake and asks why he was staring out into nowhere. Mori deigns not to respond and instead knocks on the door of Kiyomizu-dera.

A servant answers the call and leads them in to the main temple anti-chamber. Tatsu arrives a short time later. Mori and Tatsu have a conversation couched in riddles. Tatsu intimates to Mori that there is a cancer in their cabal that could destroy not only their cabal, but Kyoto as well. Tatsu also intimates that he feels Mori is the only person capable of cutting out that cancer. Mori agrees. Tatsu tells him to do what he must and Mori agrees. Hachi-ko looks on and is mystified with what is going on.

Mori then goes back to visit Kwannon and meets Daishi instead. He discovers that the rest of the Cabal had entered Kwannon’s Oneiros and after that arduous journey had already left. Kwannon was now resting and Daishi tells Mori that “the end is near.”

The rest of the cabal returned home. Kemosiri realizes how dangerous the knowledge he has is and with Kontonshin’s help, wards the safe against scrying. Kontonshin creates a ward and ban that is very potent – only a Master would have any chance of breaking it.

It was at this point that they find out that Akio Ogawa had still not appeared at the office – not since they had left for Hong Kong. A worried cabal go to her apartment to find out what was going on.

They find Akio Ogawa still in her bedclothes sporting blue eyes. She tells them that they are natural and are not the result of her supernatural rape that had occurred over a month earlier. The actions of Tamano-no-Mae were the final straw. She could not continue the way she was going and she has not seen anyone now for a month.

She relates to them the fact that she is of Ainu decent. She gets her blue eyes from that. She has worn brown contacts her whole life to prevent others knowing her background. Her mother, besides being an Ainu elder was also a member of a secret society – she did not know what society, or what she did and her parents’ divorced while she was very young leaving her and her sister with their father. Still, Akio was the dutiful girl and did what she was told and studied for her University entrance exams like all the other dutiful children in Japan.

After she graduated, she got a job with an oil company who shipped her off to the Middle East despite her father’s objection. While she was there, radical Muslim militants kidnapped her and held her hostage for two weeks before Japanese government interceded and got her released. During that time, she began to see things she never imagined. She later found out that she began to see magic and that she was indeed a Sleepwalker.

When she arrived in Japan, she was met with disdain from the Japanese, an invoice from the government for expenses and rejection from her father. Only her sister was there to comfort her but even she could not maintain close contact with her. She was effectively shunned.

After months of isolation, the mysterious benefactor contacted her and gave her purpose again. The loss of the first cabal struck a fierce blow to her heart, but this last supernatural incident has frightened her. She has had a lot of time to think over the month and has almost put in her resignation. But she has decided to come back to work. She is needed.

During the past few days, she had dreams which repeated each and every night. In these dreams, a young girl in a green kimono appeared and told her that to quell the darkness a beacon of light must shine. The young girl then held out a large crystal which glowed green. Then she would wake up. She tells the Cabal that something horrible is about to happen and that they must find that crystal to prevent it from happening.

The Cabal returns and regroups at their Sanctum and they compare stories. Mori shows them the crystal he obtained from his experiences in the Shadow and has determined that it is at the very least, a mana battery. It is decided that their next course of action in stopping the coming darkness is to locate the supposed leader of Unit 731, Dr. Wu. To start their search, they decide to go back to the Asylum – which they find out used to be a Unit 731 laboratory.

The Cabal sneaks in to the Psych Ward (again) at night and ends up in the basement. The last time they were here, they discovered that the ghost of the World War II soldier had been discorporated. Now they believe it may be the centre of all of the occult activity. Using various detection spells, the Cabal finds a hollow area behind the basement wall. They use ghost gates to enter the Shadow and exit right in the room. What they see horrifies them.

They find Dr. Wu studying several scrolls while meditating in a warded magic circle with a symbol painted in blood in its centre – a symbol they had seen months ago at the Kitigawa house and an abandoned warehouse (Chapter 2). Surrounding the circle are 8 more scrolls made out of human skin and written in blood. Dr. Wu quickly tries casting a spell, but Mori negates it before it could get off. Kemosiri and Kontonshin both hit Dr. Wu with offensive spells and manage to breach his wards. Dr. Wu falls to the floor unconscious. Mori thinks that this was too easy.

As the Cabal approach Dr. Wu’s prone body, a light flashes and suddenly, a gate appears in the middle of the magic circle. A seven foot tall emaciated humanoid in a tattered white robe and hood walks through the gate and faces them. Kemosiri uses his Mage Sight to discover that whoever stood in front of them, unlike Dr. Wu, was a Master of immense power.

Next: Chapter 12 - The Cave